Dear Reader >> With summer on the horizon, whether you have a seasonal gig or internship, how can you make the most of it?

If you landed a seasonal job for the summer, whether it’s hourly or volunteer, or an internship, and regardless of the stage in your career whether you’re a student or a seasoned worker with decades of experience, ’tis the season to make the most of the gigs.

There are out-of-the-box ones too. According to a 2022 Student Survey Report by NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers), nearly 80% of students participate in experiential learning. This includes internships as well as co-ops and externships.

You can make the most of your new job by doing several things. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and work, regardless of the task. Arrive early, stay late and possess a can-do attitude. Be someone people want to be around; be positive with a “we got this!” mentality. Ask questions, learn, don’t be afraid to get your hands a little dirty.

Think above and beyond your role and how it fits into the department and the organization as a whole. Meet other people and take them out to breakfast, coffee or lunch, depending on schedules. Ask questions. Build and nurture those relationships; stay in touch. If you enjoy the role and/or company, definitely express this to your boss and ask about future roles. If you’re available for full-time work, definitely let them know. Your foot is already in the door, to crack it wide open; remember, there is no substitute for hard work. Do impeccable work.

As for your boss, be clear from day one what the expectations are, what the job description is and how you’ll be trained. If it’s unclear about how you can do your job successfully without resources and/or support, speak up to get properly trained. Ask for feedback once you start doing the job. If you enjoy the role, express gratitude and your interest in future employment.

Do an internal audit. Identify what skills you enjoy, what you want to build upon and what aspects of the company culture you like and which ones you don’t. Additionally, identify the awful parts — pieces you definitely don’t want to have in another job. We often grow more significantly from bad experiences than from good ones.

If you’re dealing with difficult customers, notice what skills you tap into to manage them. These bad interactions are part of your highlight reel for job interviews when you’re asked: “Tell me about a situation that didn’t go as planned at work. What was the situation? How did you handle it?”

According to Thomson Reuters’ Early Careers Center of Excellence, stay focused. “Don’t use social network sites (unless it’s a part of your job), converse with friends on G-chat, or text with friends throughout the day, unless there is an emergency. You may be confident that it doesn’t affect your work, however, experienced managers may feel otherwise.

Above all, be professional. Your summer gig, even if it’s on the beach or in an ice cream parlor, should be treated like a job interview for your next job.